To Kill A Mockingbird Study Guide

1
To Kill A Mockingbird Study Guide

• Harper Lee

2
Chapter 1

• 1. Who is the narrator?
• Scout
• 2. Who is Simon Finch and what did he establish?
• Simon Finch is an ancestor of Scout. He traveled
  across the Atlantic, up the Alabama River and
  settled Finchs Landing. (p. 3-4)

3
Chapter 1

• 3. Jack Finch leaves Alabama. Where does he
  travel?
• Jack Finch leaves Alabama to study medicine in
  Boston. (p. 4)
• 4. Who stayed behind on the farm?
• Atticus and Jacks sister stayed behind. Aunt
  Alexandra (p. 4)

4
Chapter 1

• 5. What is Atticuss occupation?
• Lawyer (p. 4)
• 6. Who helps Atticus to raise his two children,
  Jem and Scout?
• Calpurnia (p. 6)
• 7. How does Jem feel when he thinks of his
  Mother?
• He is saddened. He often leaves the children
  while they are playing and stays behind the car
  house. (p. 6)

5
Chapter 1

• 8. Describe the first meeting between the Finch
  children and Dill.
• Dill appears in Mrs. Rachels collard patch. He
  professes he can read. (p. 7)
• 9. How does Dill suggest the children spend their
  time?
• Dill wants to spend the summer trying to get Boo
  Radley out of his house. (p. 8)

6
Chapter 1

• 10. Describe the myth of Boo Radley.
• Myth of Boo Radley
• Arthur (Boo) Radley stabs father with a pair of
  scissors.
• Sheriff takes Boo and locks him in basement of
  courthouse.
• Mr. Radley does not want his son in an asylum,
  so he locks him in Radley house.
• Radley house is overgrown, the roof sags,
  shutters and doors remained closed, paint has
  faded.
• After a while Maycomb blames Boo for anything
  mysterious dead animals, frozen azaleas, poison
  pecans. (p. 8-10)

7
Chapter 1

• 11. Who takes care of Boo?
• His brother, Mr. Nathan Radley (p. 11)
• 12. What does Dill dare Jem to do?
• Dill dares Jem to touch the Radley house. (p.
  13)
• 13. What do the children believe they see from
  the house?
• The children believe they see an inside shutter
  move. (p. 15)

8
Chapter 2

• 14. How does Miss Caroline treat Scout on her
  first day of school?
• She dislikes that she can already read. (p. 17)
• 15. What does Miss Caroline offer Walter
  Cunningham?
• A quarter for lunch. (p. 19)

9
Chapter 2

• 16. How does Miss Caroline react when Scout talks
  about Walter being poor?
• She thinks its an insult towards Walter. She
  punishes Scout. (p. 20)
• 17. Describe the Cunningham family.
• The Cunningham family are hard workers. They are
  poor and accept no charity. They pay Atticus for
  legal advice with hickory nuts and turnip greens.
  (p. 20)

10
Chapter 3

• 18. On her first day of school, what happens to
  Scout?
• She fights with Walter Cunningham. (p. 22)
• 19. Jem breaks up the fight. What does he do to
  Walter?
• Jem invites Walter to lunch at his house. (p. 23)

11
Chapter 3

• 20. At the table, what does Walter want? Why?
• Molasses. Its sweet and he doesnt have it at
  home. (p. 24)
• 21. How does Calpurnia discipline Scout?
• She tells Scout she should be more hospitable
  because Walter is her guest. (p. 24)

12
Chapter 3

• 22. What is known about Burris Ewell? The Ewell
  family?
• Burris has bugs in his hair. He is rude to Mrs.
  Caroline. The Ewell family has the reputation of
  being extremely poor and disrespectful. (p. 26)
• 23. Why does Atticus say Scout must attend
  school?
• The law says she must. (p. 29)

13
Chapter 4

• 24. What is the first thing Scout finds in the
  Radley tree?
• Gum (p. 33)
• 25. How does Jem react to Scouts findings?
• He makes her spit out the gum. (p. 33)
• 26. What do the children find in the tree on the
  last day of school?
• Two Indian Head pennies (p. 34)

14
Chapter 4

• 27. What happens to Scout in the tire?
• She rolls into the Radley yard. (p. 37)
• 28. What do the children think they hear from the
  Radley house?
• Laughter (p. 41)

15
Chapter 4

• 29. Describe the Boo Radley game.
• The children reenact the stories they have heard
  of Boo Radley. (p. 38)
• 30. Why do Jem and Scout lie to Atticus?
• They lie so they will not be punished for
  playing the Boo Radley game. (p. 40)

16
Chapter 5

• 31. Why does Scout feel left out? Who does she
  talk with?
• Dill and Jem become closer. She talks with Mrs.
  Maudie. (p. 41)
• 32. What does Mrs. Maudie tell Scout about Boo
  Radley?
• Mrs. Maudie tells Scout Boo is alive and when he
  was young he was gentle and polite. (p. 43)

17
Chapter 5

• 33. How do Jem and Dill attempt to invite Boo
  Radley out for ice cream?
• They want to use a fishing pole to throw a note
  inside the Radley house. (p. 46)
• 34. Who catches them?
• Atticus (p. 48)

18
Chapter 6

• 35. On Dills last day, what do the children
  attempt to do?
• They sneak into the Radley back yard to catch a
  glimpse of Boo Radley. (p. 51)
• 36. What do the children see once they reach the
  back porch?
• They see a large shadow. (p. 53)
• 37. What does Jem lose as he tries to escape the
  Radley yard?
• His pants. (p. 53)

19
Chapter 6

• 38. What does Mrs. Stephanie Crawford tell the
  children?
• She tells them Mr. Nathan Radley is waiting with
  his gun for anyone who comes into his yard. (p.
  54)
• 39. When Atticus notices Jem in not wearing
  pants, what does Jem say?
• He tells his father they were playing strip
  poker. (p. 54)

20
Chapter 7

• 40. What does Jem admit to Scout about his pants?
• He admits when he returned for his pants that
  they were untangled from the fence, mended and
  folded neatly. (p. 58)
• 41. What do the children find in the tree? What
  do they do with it?
• They find a gray ball of twine. They suspect it
  could belong to one of their classmates. They
  watch it for three days before they take it. (p.
  58-59)

21
Chapter 7

• 42. Describe the soap carvings the children find.
• The soap carvings resemble the children. They
  recognize they are being watched. (p. 59)
• 43. List other items the children find the tree.
• Pocket watch, spelling bee medal, more gum, a
  knife (p. 60)
• 44. What reason does Nathan Radley give for
  filling the knothole?
• He says the tree is dying. (p. 63)

22
Chapter 8

• 45. Why is school canceled?
• It snows. (p. 64)
• 46. What do the children do with their time off?
• They build a snowman. (p. 66)
• 47. Who does the snowman resemble?
• Mr. Avery (p. 67)

23
Chapter 8

• 48. What happens to Mrs. Maudie?
• Her house burns. (p. 69)
• 49. Describe the experience of Scout during the
  fire.
• During the fire, Boo puts a blanket around
  Scouts shoulders. (p. 71)

24
Chapter 8

• 50. Who does Jem tell about the knothole? What is
  his reaction?
• Jem tells Atticus. Atticus says they should keep
  it to themselves so as not to draw more attention
  to the Radleys. (p. 72)

25
Chapter 9

• 51. Why does Scout fight with Cecil Jacobs?
• Cecil calls Atticus names. (p. 74)
• 52. Who is Tom Robinson and why does Atticus
  agree to help him?
• Tom Robinson is a black man accused of raping
  Mayella Ewell. Atticus defends him because it is
  the right thing to do. (p. 75)

26
Chapter 9

• 53. Where does the Finch family go for the
  Christmas holidays?
• Finchs Landing
• 54. How does Aunt Alexandra criticize Scout?
• She says she needs to dress and act more
  feminine. (p. 81)

27
Chapter 9

• 55. Why does Scout fight with Francis?
• Francis calls Atticus names. (p. 81)
• 56. How does Jack react to the fight with
  Francis?
• Jack punishes Scout without listening to the
  explanation. (p. 84)

28
Chapter 9

• 57. Describe the conversation that Scout
  overhears between Atticus and Jack.
• Scout overhears Atticus saying that there is no
  way he can save Tom. Tom will be found guilty.
  This disappoints Scout. (p. 88)

29
Chapter 10

• 58. What does Mrs. Maudie confess about Atticus?
• He is a great shot and an excellent checker
  player. (p. 91-92)
• 59. Describe Atticus speech concerning the
  mockingbird.
• Atticus says that it is a sin to kill a
  mockingbird. They are innocent creatures who do
  nothing but sing for us. (p. 90)

30
Chapter 11

• 60. Who is Mrs. Dubose?
• An old lady who insults Atticus saying he is no
  better than the trash he defends. (p. 99)
• 61. How does Jem react to the comments of Mrs.
  Dubose?
• He gets angry and takes Scouts baton and
  destroys her flowers. (p. 103)

31
Chapter 11

• 62. What is Jems punishment?
• He has to read to Mrs. Dubose. (p. 105)
• 63. Describe Jem and Scouts time at Mrs.
  Duboses home.
• After a while of reading to her, Mrs. Dubose
  begins to have fits. The children are asked to
  leave. (p. 108-109)

32
Chapter 11

• 64. What happens to Mrs. Dubose?
• A month after Jem completes his punishment, Mrs.
  Dubose dies. (p. 110)
• 65. What secret does Atticus reveal about Mrs.
  Dubose?
• Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict. She had been
  sick for years and she was attempting in her last
  months to stop taking the medicine. The children
  were a distraction. (p. 111)

33
Chapter 12

• 66. Why does Dill not come to Maycomb for the
  summer?
• He has a new father and the new father is going
  to play games and help him build a fishing boat.
  (p. 116)
• 67. Where does Atticus travel? Why?
• Montgomery. He serves on the state legislature.
  (p. 116)
• 68. Where does Calpurnia take the children?
• First Purchase (p. 118)

34
Chapter 12

• 69. Describe the experience with Calpurnia. What
  do the children see? Learn?
• For the first time, the children experience the
  African-American community. They recognize the
  congregation does not have hymnals. Some cannot
  read and Zeebo, Calpurnias son, leads them in
  song. The congregation takes an offering for
  Toms wife, Helen. (p. 119-125)
• 70. When the children return home, who is waiting
  for them?
• Alexandra (p. 126)

35
Chapter 13

• 71. Why does Aunt Alexandra say she has come to
  stay with the Finch family?
• To teach Scout to be feminine. (p. 127)
• 72. How does Alexandra treat Scout?
• She tries to change her. (p. 133-134)

36
Chapter 14

• 73. How does Aunt Alexandra react when she learns
  of the trip to First Purchase?
• She attempts to have Calpurnia fired. (p. 135)
• 74. Why do Jem and Scout fight?
• Jem tells Scout not to antagonize her Aunt. (p.
  137)

37
Chapter 14

• 75. What do the children find in Scouts room?
• Dill (p. 139)
• 76. Why did Dill run away?
• His father broke his promise and didnt play
  with him. (p. 140)
• 77. Describe Dills journey to Maycomb.
• Dill says his father kept him chained in the
  basement. He escaped and joined a traveling
  animal show. Finally he crossed the river into
  Maycomb. (p. 140)

38
Chapter 15

• 78. As the trial nears, where does Heck Tate move
  Tom Robinson?
• The sheriff brings him back to the jail. (p.
  145-148)
• 79. What are Alexandras opinions concerning the
  trial?
• She thinks its a bad idea for Atticus to
  attempt to protect Tom. She thinks it insults the
  good Finch name. (p. 147)

39
Chapter 15

• 80. Describe the scene at the jail between
  Atticus, the mob and the children.
• The children follow Atticus to the jail and
  stand between the mob and Atticus. (p. 152)
• 81. What does Jem do when he is told to return
  home? Why is this important?
• Jem refuses to leave. He is growing into a man
  and behaving much like his father. (p. 152)
• 82. What sends the mob away?
• Scout asks Walter Cunningham to tell his son
  hello. Her innocent words change Walter. (p. 153)

40
Chapter 15

• 83. What does Mr. Underwood do during this scene?
• He is standing behind Atticus in the dark with a
  gun. (p. 155)

41
Chapter 16

• 84. Describe Maycomb as the trial begins.
• The town is chaotic. People from across the
  county have come. (p. 158-160)
• 85. Why does Mrs. Maudie refuse to attend the
  trial?
• She says it will be like a Roman carnival and
  she doesnt want to watch Tom fight for his life.
  (p. 159)

42
Chapter 16

• 86. Where do the children sit at the trial? Who
  helps them find a place to sit?
• They sit in the balcony. Reverend Sykes helps
  them find a seat. (p. 164)
• 87. Who is the Judge? What is known about him?
• Judge Taylor. He rules his courtroom with a
  firm grip. (p. 165)

43
Chapter 17

• 88. Describe the evidence presented by Heck Tate
  at the trial. SEE CHART
• 89. Describe the testimony of Bob Ewell. SEE CHART

44
Chapter 17

• 90. Why does Bob Ewell say no doctor was called?
• It would cost five dollars. (p. 175)
• 91. How does Atticus reveal that Bob Ewell is
  left-handed? What does this imply?
• He asks Bob to write his name. He reveals he is
  left-handed and Atticus implies that Bob beat his
  daughter. (p. 177)

45
Chapter 18

• 92. Describe Mayella as she takes the stand.
• She is nervous and afraid of begin tricked by
  Atticus. (p. 178-179)
• 93. Describe Mayellas testimony.
• She accuses Tom. She supports her fathers
  testimony. (p. 180-182)
• 94. While being cross-examined, Mayella admits
  how she feels. Describe this.
• She says she is lonely in the Ewell home.
  Atticus uses this to prove she became infatuated
  with Tom Robinson. (p. 183)

46
Chapter 18

• 95. Why could Tom not physically have committed
  this crime?
• Toms left hand was destroyed in a cotton gin
  when he was a child. (p. 185)
• 96. When Atticus begs Mayella to tell the truth,
  how does she react?
• She calls the court and Atticus cowards. (p. 188)

47
Chapter 19

• 97. What does Tom admit about passing the Ewell
  home on his way to work?
• He admits he has helped her many times. (p. 191)
• 98. How did Mayella coax Tom into the house?
• She said she needed help to repair the door. (p.
  191)

48
Chapter 19

• 99. According to Tom, where were the children?
• The children were in town getting ice cream. (p.
  193)
• 100. As Tom removes a box from the top of the
  dresser, what does Mayella do?
• Mayella grabs his legs. Tom jumps down. She
  attempts to kiss him. (p. 193)

49
Chapter 19

• 101. How does Link Deas react during the trial?
• He stands up and says Tom is a hard-working man
  and he has never had a problem with him in eight
  years. (p. 195)
• 102. What does the prosecution reveal about Toms
  past?
• He was arrested years ago for disorderly
  conduct. (p. 196)

50
Chapter 19

• 103. What does Tom say (as Mr. Gilmer questions
  him) that shocks the court?
• He says he felt sorry for Mayella. (p. 197)
• 104. How does Dill react to this testimony? Who
  helps him?
• He cries. Scout escorts him outside. (p. 198)

51
Chapter 20

• 105. Describe the childrens experience with Mr.
  Raymond.
• Mr. Raymond appears as a drunk. He offers Dill
  something from his bottle. It turns out to be
  Coca-Cola. He has misrepresented himself because
  he is married to an African-American woman and
  has mulatto children. (p. 200)

52
Chapter 20

• 106. In Atticus final remarks, he mentions three
  important pieces of evidence. Name them.
• Medical evidence, physical evidence, and the
  inability of the town to accept the notion that
  Mayella Ewell, a white woman, was infatuated with
  Tom Robinson. (p. 203-205)
• 107. Why does Calpurnia arrive at the courthouse?
• She is looking for the children. (p. 206)

53
Chapter 21

• 108. Who points out the children in the
  courthouse?
• Mr. Underwood (p. 206)
• 109. What does Atticus say about the children
  being in the courthouse?
• He tells them to go home, eat supper slowly and
  they can return for the verdict. (p. 207)

54
Chapter 21

• 110. What is the verdict of the court?
• Guilty (p. 211)
• 111. How does the balcony react as Atticus leaves
  the courtroom?
• They stand as he leaves the building. (p. 211)

55
Chapter 22

• 112. How does Jem react over the decision of the
  court?
• He believes it isnt fair. He cries. (p. 212)
• 113. What does Mrs. Maudie say about some of the
  people in Maycomb?
• She tells Jem that some men (Atticus) are chosen
  to do unpleasant jobs, but there are people
  attempting to help. (p. 215)

56
Chapter 22

• 114. Mrs. Maudie gives a sign of progress. What
  is it?
• The jury takes times to make the decision.
  Although they find Tom guilty, it is sign of
  progress. (p. 216)
• 115. What story does Mrs. Crawford tell the
  children concerning Atticus and Bob Ewell?
• Bob spits in Atticus face and tells him he
  would get him if it took the rest of his life.
  (p. 217)

57
Chapter 23

• 116. How does Atticus react to the behavior of
  Bob Ewell?
• He is calm. He merely says he wished Bob would
  not chew tobacco. He does not see Bob as a
  threat. (p. 217)
• 117. Where has Tom been sent?
• Enfield Prison Farm in Chester County (p. 219)

58
Chapter 23

• 118. When Scout asks about Tom, Atticus tells her
  the truth. What does he tell her?
• Atticus tells Scout that Tom faces the electric
  chair. (p. 219)
• 119. What truth does Atticus reveal to Jem?
• Atticus tells Jem that many people have been
  convicted in the same way as Tom Robinson. The
  world is often unfair. (p. 219)

59
Chapter 23

• 120. Name the juror who wanted to acquit Tom
  Robinson.
• Walter Cunningham (p. 222)
• 121. What does Alexandra think about having the
  Cunninghams to the house?
• She says they are trash and unwelcome in the
  Finch home. (p. 224)
• 122. Jem and Scout discuss the class system in
  Maycomb. What do they say about Boo Radley? They
  say Boo stays locked away because he wants to.
  For the first time, the children are envious of
  Boo Radley. (p. 227)

60
Chapter 24

• 123. What happens to Tom Robinson in prison?
• He is shot seventeen times and killed. (p. 235)
• 124. Why does Alexandra question Atticus loyalty
  to the family?
• She believes that since Tom is dead Atticus will
  stop his pursuit of justice. (p. 235)

61
Chapter 25

• 125. Describe the situation with the roly-poly.
• The roly-poly is a symbol of Jems growth. He
  recognizes the value of life in everything
  whether it be the mockingbird, Tom or a small,
  insignificant roly-poly. (p. 238)

62
Chapter 25

• 126. How does the town react to the actions of
  Tom Robinson?
• They talk about it for two days then forget.
  They say it is typical. (p. 240)
• 127. How does Bob Ewell react to the death of Tom
  Robinson?
• He says that its one down and two to go. (p.
  241)

63
Chapter 26

• 128. As the children pass the Radley house, they
  no longer fear him. What does Scout want?
• Scout simply wants to see him. (p. 242)
• 129. What discussion angers Jem?
• Scout talks about her new teacher, Mrs. Gates,
  who hates Hitler, but is overheard talking badly
  about the African-American community after the
  Tom Robinson trial. She says Tom got what he
  deserved. It illustrates the inability of Maycomb
  to change. (p. 246-247)

64
Chapter 27

• 130. Who does Bob Ewell blame for the loss of his
  job?
• Atticus (p. 248)
• 131. What does Judge Taylor see on his back
  porch?
• a shadow (p. 248)
• 132. How does Bob Ewell treat Helen?
• Bob follows her to work, curses her and throws
  rocks at the children. (p. 249-250)

65
Chapter 27

• 133. How does Scout dress from the Halloween
  pageant?
• a ham (p. 253)
• 134. Who takes Scout to the play?
• Jem (p. 254)

66
Chapter 28

• 135. Who scares the children on their way to the
  pageant?
• Cecil Jacobs (p. 255)
• 136. Why does Scout miss her entrance during the
  pageant?
• She has fallen asleep while Mrs. Merriweather
  was talking. (p. 258)
• 137. How does Scout feel about missing her
  entrance?
• She is embarrassed. This causes her to wait with
  Jem until everyone has left the school. The two
  then walk home alone. (p. 259)

67
Chapter 28

• 138. What do the children hear on their way home?
• They hear footsteps behind them. The footsteps
  stop each time the children stop walking. (p.
  260)
• 139. Describe the attack on the children.
• Bob Ewell stalks the children through the woods.
  He attempts to kill both Jem and Scout. He breaks
  Jems arm and knocks him out. Bob is killed by
  Boo Radley who is protecting the children. (p.
  260-263)

68
Chapter 28

• 140. When Scout reaches her feet, what does she
  in the light moving towards the Finch home?
• She sees a figure carrying Jem towards the Finch
  home. (p. 262)
• 141. Describe Jems injuries.
• Jem has a broken arm and is unconscious. (p.
  264)
• 142. When Heck Tate arrives, what does he reveal?
• Heck reveals that Bob Ewell is dead and his body
  is lying in the woods with a knife between his
  ribs. (p. 266)

69
Chapter 29

• 143. What does Heck Tate discover about Scouts
  costume?
• He shows Atticus where the knife went into the
  costume. He admits the costume saved Scouts
  life. (p. 269)
• 144. Who is the pale character in the corner of
  the room that saved Jem?
• Boo Radley (p. 270)

70
Chapter 30

• 145. What do Atticus and Heck Tate argue about on
  the front porch?
• Atticus says that if Jem is guilty of killing
  Bob Ewell he must take responsibility. Heck
  explains that Jem couldnt have killed Bob. It
  must have been Boo. Heck creates the story that
  Bob fell on his knife to protect Boo from the
  attention of the town. (p. 271-275)

71
Chapter 31

• 146. Describe the situation in the final chapter
  between Scout and Boo Radley.
• Scout walks Boo Radley back to his home. They
  walk arm in arm. Scout for the first time sees
  Boo as a hero rather than a ghost. When he closes
  the door, she never sees him again. (p. 278-279)